Clinical review of two fatal equine cases of infection with the insectivorous bat strain of<scp>A</scp>ustralian bat lyssavirus

Annand, Edward J.; Reid, P

doi:10.1111/avj.12227

Cited by 25 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…18 On a disease-by-disease and state-by-state basis 'One Health' discussion is carried out between sectors and in many instances has resulted in improvements in zoonotic disease operations. [39][40][41][42] The National Significant Diseases Investigation Program (NSDIP) provides limited funds for registered, nongovernment veterinarians to investigate significant disease events, defined as those exhibiting high morbidity and mortality, rapid spread, effect on public health, trade or production or where initial investigation has failed to establish a diagnosis. 43,44 While NSDIP is not intended to support the investigation of established notifiable diseases such as HeV in horses, it does include clinically similar diseases or diseases showing increasing incidence or an expanding geographic or host range.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Citizens' juries give verdict on whether private practice veterinarians should attend unvaccinated Hendra virus suspect horses

Annand

Reid²,

Johnson

et al. 2020

Aust Veterinary J

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Background Hendra virus (HeV) is endemic in Australian flying foxes, posing a threat to equine and human health. Equine vaccination remains the most effective risk mitigation strategy. Many horses remain unvaccinated – even in higher‐risk regions. Debate surrounding the vaccine's use is characterised by conflicting perspectives, misunderstanding and mistrust. Private veterinary practitioners are critical to early identification of public health risk through recognition, sampling and management of suspect‐equine‐HeV‐cases. However, managing such cases can be burdensome, with some veterinarians opting not to attend unvaccinated horses or to abandon equine practice because of risk posed by HeV disease and liability. Objective Ascertain the perspectives of informed citizens on what obligations (if any) private veterinarians have to attend unvaccinated horses with HeV or HeV‐like disease. Methods Three citizens' juries were tasked with considering approaches to managing HeV risk in Australia, including (reported here) roles and obligations of private veterinarians in responding to HeV‐suspect‐cases. Results Jurors acknowledged that HeV management posed an important challenge for private veterinarians. A clear majority (27 of 31 jurors) voted that veterinarians should not be obliged to attend unvaccinated horses. All recognised that greater support for veterinarians should be a priority. Conclusions When informed of HeV risks and strategies for control and management, citizens appreciated the need to support veterinarians performing this critical ‘One Health’ role for public benefit. The current governance framework within which zoonotic disease recognition and response operates limits the contingency and scope for increasing support and efficacy of these important veterinary public health practices.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Citizens' juries give verdict on whether private practice veterinarians should attend unvaccinated Hendra virus suspect horses

Annand

Reid²,

Johnson

et al. 2020

Aust Veterinary J

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“…ABLV infection was documented in two horses in Australia in 2013. 7 Apart from bats, humans and horses, naturally occurring ABLV infection has not been documented in any other animal species (eg dogs, cats).…”

Section: Transmission From Batsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, seroconversion to ABLV has been documented following experimental inoculation of dogs and cats, 17 and natural infection with ABLV has occurred in Australian horses. 7 Infection with related bat lyssaviruses has been occasionally documented in terrestrial mammals on other continents. It is thus feasible that domestic pets could become infected following bat exposures.…”

Section: Case 4 Domestic Pets Exposed To Batsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Australian bat lyssavirus

Merritt¹,

Taylor²,

Cox-Witton³

et al. 2018

Aust J Gen Pract

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AUSTRALIAN BAT LYSSAVIRUS (ABLV) is regarded as endemic in Australian bats. It is one of 14 known lyssavirus species 1 and causes human illness that is indistinguishable from classical rabies. It has resulted in three known human deaths in Australia since 1996. 2 All Australian bats have the potential to carry and transmit ABLV, and potentially risky human exposures to bats are common. Timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is critical to prevent ABLV disease. ABLV in bats ABLV was first identified in an encephalitic black flying fox in Queensland, Australia, in 1996. 3 Subsequently, ABLV has been identified in all four mainland species of flying fox and one species of insectivorous microbat, with serological evidence of ABLV exposure in a range of microbat species. 4 The overall prevalence of ABLV in bats is estimated to be <1% in healthy bats, and 5-10% in sick, injured or orphaned bats. 4,5 Clinical signs of ABLV infection in bats include aggression, paralysis, respiratory difficulties, unusual vocalisation, inability to fly, tremors and convulsions. However, infected bats may appear healthy and behave normally.

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“…The first paper this month reports on Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV), an emerging disease of great importance to equine veterinarians in Australia as well as health professionals worldwide . It describes the clinical features and diagnostic process of the first two confirmed cases of infection with this rabies‐like virus in horses (or any other domestic animals) in Australia.…”

Section: Equinementioning

confidence: 99%